The Difficult Situation

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     Author: Thomas Hull, MSIV
     Loyola University Chicago SSOM

I remember trying to take my first history and physical as a first-year medical student when a middle-aged man came into the emergency department (ED) with transient ischemic attack-like symptoms. With the encouragement of my preceptor, who was the attending emergency physician, I went to do a full interview history and physical. After spending almost 45 minutes learning about this man and his life in friendly conversation, I exited the room to see my preceptor with a somber face. The patient’s head computed tomography revealed numerous scattered round tumors at the gray-white junction, likely metastases from melanoma, which I’d just heard had been treated years ago and he considered “past” medical history. My preceptor apologized for such a first encounter, though confessed she was relieved to have a partner in delivering the news. I welcomed the role, willing to employ whatever emotional capital I’d just established, and confidently planted myself at his bedside as she began to tell him. But when he started crying, I knew that there was no good response – I stood there speechless.

Delivering Bad News

Image Credit: Pixabay

Author: Niklas Eriksson, MSIV
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
AAEM/RSA Social Media Committee

This post was peer reviewed.
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A variety of patients present in the emergency department (ED), and every ED physician, resident, and even student will encounter patients in critical condition or life-threatening injuries. As a result, it is an essential skill for an ED clinician to be able to give bad news. One of the more helpful mnemonics I have learned and been able to apply when having to break bad news to patients or their families is SPIKES. This mnemonic is often used by oncologists, but can apply equally well in the more acute ED setting.[1,2]

S: Setting. Make sure you are in an appropriate setting to deliver the news. A private room with minimal noise interference is preferable. A recent study showed that there is a discrepancy between patient and physician perspective on the level of privacy achieved during these conversations, indicating that more emphasis could be placed on finding an appropriate setting. [2,3] Also recognize the importance of introducing yourself and your role.[3,4]

P: Perception. Ask the patient and/or their family what their understanding of the transpired events has been thus far. It may be that the patient has been suffering from a chronic disease and they have been preparing for their eventual death for a long time, or this may be a sudden and unexpected occurrence. Many times it may be better to be direct. Overall, keep in mind that every family has different experiences with their loved ones and their diseases that makes each encounter different.